Dr. Gao Liu and Dr. Vincent Battaglia’s recent achievements were acknowledged by DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Danielson during his recent visit to LBNL. Danielson praised the researchers for their pioneering contributions to conducting polymer binders for silicon anodes for high energy density lithium-ion batteries. Lithium ion batteries are used in most of today’s consumer electronics, and hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles (EVs). The use of silicon anodes shows the promise to boost the energy capacity of lithium-ion batteries by up to 30%. However, classical binders used today cannot absorb the huge swings in material expansion and contraction upon cycling. The new binders developed at LBNL mitigate this crucial problem. They are a based on a new family of conducting polymers that can be tailored for specific silicon anodes. The Berkeley Lab team is working with Envia Inc., 3M, and General Motors to commercialize this technology.
For further information, please contact:
Gao Liu: gliu@lbl.gov
Vince Battaglia: vsbattaglia@lbl.gov